How to Change Lubrication Oil

Everyone can learn the basics of maintaining their car's engine.

The lubricating oil in your car should be changed every three months or 3,000 miles. You can bring your car to an auto mechanic's garage for an oil change or learn to do it yourself. The first few times might take you a little while, but once you learn what to do and how to do it, you'll be able to change your own oil in no time. Use supplies from your local automotive store to complete the job.

Things You'll Need

• Portable car ramps
• Catch pan
• Rubber gloves
• Socket wrench
• Oil filter
• Oil filter wrench
• Funnel
• 4 to 6 quarts of oil
• Cleaning towels
• Old milk container

Instructions

1. Drive your car onto the car ramps and put the parking brake on to ensure the car doesn't move while you're working on it.

2. Place your catch pan below the oil pan so it can catch the old oil as it comes out. Aluminum roasting pans make easy, disposable catch pans.

3. 

   The appropriate-sized socket will help loosen the plug.

   Loosen the drain plug with the socket wrench. Turn the plug counter-clockwise to loosen it. Hold onto the plug with your other hand so it doesn't end up in the catch pan.

4. Allow the oil to drain completely before putting the plug back on the oil tank. Turn your socket wrench clockwise to tighten as far as you can so the plug is secure and won't leak. Be careful not to overtighten it and strip the threads of the plug.

5. 

   A clean oil filter helps your car run more efficiently.

   Move your catch pan underneath the location of the oil filter. Remove your oil filter by using your oil filter wrench to turn the filter counter-clockwise. Once the filter is loosened, spin it the rest of the way to remove it, being careful not to spill any oil inside it.

6. Lubricate the rubber seal of the fresh oil filter, using a few drops of the oil you'll be putting in your car. Doing this will help seat the seal of the filter properly when you install it. Spin the new filter on in a clockwise direction, using your hand. When the oil filter's rubber seal comes in contact with your car's engine, turn the filter 3/4 turn to fully tighten it. Avoid using a wrench to tighten the new filter, if at all possible, as an overly tightened filter is difficult to remove.

7. Remove the oil filler cap and add the number and type of lubricating oil indicated by your car's manual. Use your funnel so the oil goes into the oil tank, rather than all over your car's engine. Follow the "less is more" rule by starting with four quarts and checking the oil level with the dipstick before adding more oil. If you accidentally add too much, open the drain plug again and drain out the excess oil.

8. Place the oil filler cap back on and tighten with your hand.

9. Check the level of your oil using the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out of its receptacle, wipe it off with a cleaning rag, replace it, then pull it out again and check the level. The level of oil on the dipstick should be above full since the oil filter was replaced as well.

10. Turn your car's engine on and allow the engine to idle so the oil can move through the oil filter and come up to the appropriate pressure.

11. Pour the old oil from the catch pan into an old milk container for recycling. Use your funnel to reduce spillage.

12. Record the date you changed the oil and the type or brand of oil used, as well as your car's mileage. Keep this in your glove compartment for easy reference so you know when you need to change your oil next.

Tips & Warnings

• Rub petroleum jelly into the skin of your hands and arms before putting your gloves on. This will make it easier to clean the oil and grease from your skin.

• Wear old clothing when you work on your car to avoid staining nice clothes with grease.

References

• aa1car: How To Change Your Oil and Filter